Harry Belafonte – U.S. Navy

Harry Belafonte, the King of Calypso, joined the Navy during the Second World War. Belafonte never served overseas, and later in the ’40s, he took up work as a janitor’s assistant.

Belafonte would cross paths with Sidney Poitier, and the two struggling artists would share a single seat, switching in between acts to enjoy local plays. He eventually took some acting classes and kickstarted his music career performing in New York clubs. Belafonte is now 93, and he marked his birthday with a special celebration in March 2020 at the Apollo Theatre.